An XRD
peak intensity and abundance profile of Takysie Lake, plotted against
BCC9601 benchmarks.
The first lunar meteorite found in North America.
November 2002-updated December-2006
by S. Ray DeRusse
Submitted to BCC Meteorites for
analysis in two different packages, were the samples below in addition
to
a control sample. Two different samples, a part slice and a
complete slice from the same batch were analyzed, one using XRD the
other using standard high magnification microscopy. Repeated requests
by email were made by Steve Shoner, for our opinion and analysis of
this sample.
The sample origin is Takysie Lake, BC, Canada.
BACKGROUND FACTS
The samples were collected by meteorite hunter, Dr. H.H. Nininger, on
or about 1963 in British Columbia, Canada. During this time frame the
US was in a
"cold war" with Russia which evolved into a "space race". According to
Steve Shoner of
The American Meteorite Survey, and who submitted the samples to
BCC Meteorites,
Dr. Nininger, having passed away in 1986, still
insisted he had found a lunar meteorite strewn
field. Mr. Shoner claimed and represented to
BCC Meteorites that the scientists who tested the sample(s) were
mistaken. We were very perplexed by Mr. Shoner selecting us to re-test
the
sample(s) because
he has a firm connection and many friends in the
business of meteoritics and easy access to the hallways of academia
where this work is routinely done.
We raised this issue with Mr. Shoner, who responded, "Ray,
I have been trying for years to get them to look at the samples and
revisit the issue but they refuse to do so". He also indicated that
this sample from Takysie Lake was the only one ever classified as a
pseudo-meteorite. Mr. Shoner noted our success with the identification
and classification of BCC9601, which turns out to be a portion of the differentiated lunar highlands, the only one
of its type ever found and
the largest lunar meteorite found thus far. In our email conversations
we informed Mr. Shoner, "If the experts at UAZ and in Chicago have
already analyzed the sample there is not much more we can do, but still
he insisted and sent the sample and a copy of the original MAPS
analytical article printed in ~1967.
A FOOLPROOF TEST
In the process of mulling over Mr. Shoner's dilemma, we decided the
best and most convincing evidence of lunar origin would be to compare
the chemical composition of Takysie Lake to the chemical composition of
BCC9601. We came up with the further and foolproof analytical test of
superimposing the XRD
data of his sample over the XRD data of BCC9601.
In doing so a genetic link and connection could be firmly established
if there was one. I instructed the lab technician to superimpose the
patterns. He wrote back and said, "the patterns are so similar, I
cannot superimpose them, I will have to separate them." This was good
news because this means Dr. Nininger and Mr. Shoner could be correct.
We were stunned upon viewing the superimposed patterns when they
arrived.
Below
the XRD data
from Takysie Lake is superimposed on the same page as BCC9601 to
graphically view their similarities and differences, and to determine
if Takysie Lake is of lunar origin.
Takysie Lake (British Columbia) was analyzed
and is the top horizontal XRD pattern, while BCC9601 is the
bottom
horizontal pattern. (They were separated to better see the
differences). There exists a genetic relationship with BCC9601, the
samples are
genetically from the same source, lunar. The differences were expected
but we had no idea they were going to be so similar. It is
interesting to note that Takysie Lake more closely matches the Apollo
oxide ranges than it does BCC9601. Upon further analysis
and classification I find that Takysie Lake is gardened, impact
excavated, and re-welded rocklets to form a unique micro-breccia of
lunar origin.
Above is the first sample sent and used in phase
separation by
x-ray
diffraction. The heavily weathered and damaged fusion crust is the
result of repeated cycles of freezing and thawing over hundreds if not
thousands of years. The oxidation is due to weathering against the high
Fe content. We have no direct evidence of this but it is our impression
that this sample probably landed much farther north and slowly found
its way south with glacial depositional movement and melting.
The peak intensities and location comparison indicate Takysie Lake
having an
affinity for mafic
mineralogy is a new lunar microbreccia. The rewelded rocklets vary in
size to approximately ~1 mm. The peak broadening at the base, indicates
a
tendency for amorphous phases by terrestrial weathering.
To verify our conclusions, BCC Meteorites
requested a second sample from Mr. Shoner, and indeed the second
sample sent by examination of a slice under the microscope matches the
geophysical data and information supplied in the MAPS article. The
sample tested
and published in MAPS is not from the Moon, however the first sample
sent to BCC Meteorites is of lunar origin.
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